Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2022-23 season thread part III

[SKNJD9]

 

[glenwo2]

Idk, when everyone was shitting on Jack around the league he was one of the few players after playing with him at the All Stars to say something along the lines of "He can do anything and everything I can, but better."

Except at being a douche.

 

[HBK27]

 

[None Shall Pass]

Edit: Jinx @HBK27

Incredible homage:

 

[Xirik]

Really enjoyed that video but it also reminded me how much it will hurt when he is gone.

Hopefully though he's with us for a long long time! Perhaps he should make a "Chico's Healthy Eats" series?

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I really hope Blackwood plays well when he returns. I wonder if we would still have the same record if he was healthy all of this season so far. Things have just mind of aligned really well with Vitek in goal playing as good as he has. Schmid coming in and winning every game he has played in so far has been one of my favorite parts of the season so far.

What are we going to do with Bernier ? This guy is still trying to work his way back into a game.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Chico is such a goddamn treasure.

 

[Aurinko]

I really hope Blackwood plays well when he returns. I wonder if we would still have the same record if he was healthy all of this season so far. Things have just mind of aligned really well with Vitek in goal playing as good as he has. Schmid coming in and winning every game he has played in so far has been one of my favorite parts of the season so far.

What are we going to do with Bernier ? This guy is still trying to work his way back into a game.

This is obviously just pure guessing, especially since major part in low goals against comes from the players playing solid defense and not so much from the goalies. What do I mean by this? Even if the goalies had 0,5 more goals against per game (2,19 to 2,69 goals against per game), the team would still be top 5 in goals against, which would still be good performance.

Goals saved above expected says to me that Vanecek is playing bit above average goalie and Schmid way above average goalie (hot streak and most likely not sustainable).

 

[MauDevils]

What's up with this schedule...before the Isles game we'll have played 3 games in 11 days?

 

[Billdo]

What's up with this schedule...before the Isles game we'll have played 3 games in 11 days?

For a stretch there during the run it felt like we were going every other night so a little bit of a lighter stretch will do the boys some good id think.

 

[bigd]

This is obviously just pure guessing, especially since major part in low goals against comes from the players playing solid defense and not so much from the goalies. What do I mean by this? Even if the goalies had 0,5 more goals against per game (2,19 to 2,69 goals against per game), the team would still be top 5 in goals against, which would still be good performance.

Goals saved above expected says to me that Vanecek is playing bit above average goalie and Schmid way above average goalie (hot streak and most likely not sustainable).


View attachment 618179

Hopefully Blackwood comes back and plays well so he has some value on the trade market!

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

What's up with this schedule...before the Isles game we'll have played 3 games in 11 days?

Great time for it. Team has had great injury luck so far. A good time for a refresh

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

Can we get one special night....
Doc and Chico calling the game.
Matt and the maven doing a couple segments
And what everyone has been waiting for...a Deb Kaufman and Erika collaboration.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Hopefully Blackwood comes back and plays well so he has some value on the trade market!

I have to think Ottawa would be extremely interested in Blackwood. They have not had a goaltender of Blackwood's ability for some time, and Blackwood hails from nearby Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Despite what I consider to be extremely underwhelming drafts in both 2021 and 2022, Ottawa has several prospects who could be of particular interest to the Devils. Foremost among them would be center prospects Ridley Greig and Zack Ostapchuk.

Greig was a #28 overall pick in 2020 who I was extremely high on, though he had some doubters due to his physical, in-your-face style combined with a lack of size usually associated with such a player-type at 5'10-170 or so. However, I saw a kid with off-the-charts compete level, a high hockey IQ, excellent skates and far more pure skill than most draft pundits recognized. Thus far in his development, Greig has proved me right with 95 points in his final 60 WHL contests and, as of yet this season, a PPG clip in his first AHL campaign.

Ostapchuk was not a player I was nearly so high on when the Senators took him at #39 overall in 2021. However, Ostapchuk got some draft-day attention due to a very physical style and 6'3-205 frame. At the time he was drafted, I had questions about Ostapchuk's skating and offensive awareness, but he has answered both in spades with greatly improved burst in his skating stride and an almost 1.5 PPG clip in this, his final WHL season.

The Devils two greatest needs -- probably only needs -- in a stacked NJ prospect pool are centers and physical/interior forwards. Both Greig and Ostapchuk would check both these boxes, and either would immediately become the top center in the prospect pool. Both profile as excellent future 3C candidates, with Greig having clear 2C upside, though certainly not on a Devils franchise headlined by Hughes/Hischier for the coming decade.

 

[None Shall Pass]

I like him

 

[glenwo2]

I like him

Ooooooh....a Vitek Plushie!!

Get on it, Devils Marketing Dept!!!

 

[Cheddabombs]

I like him

If he continues being this good and adorable he's going to force me to a buy his jersey

 

[Better Call Sal]

I like it.

 

[Guadana]

I have to think Ottawa would be extremely interested in Blackwood. They have not had a goaltender of Blackwood's ability for some time, and Blackwood hails from nearby Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Despite what I consider to be extremely underwhelming drafts in both 2021 and 2022, Ottawa has several prospects who could be of particular interest to the Devils. Foremost among them would be center prospects Ridley Greig and Zack Ostapchuk.

Greig was a #28 overall pick in 2020 who I was extremely high on, though he had some doubters due to his physical, in-your-face style combined with a lack of size usually associated with such a player-type at 5'10-170 or so. However, I saw a kid with off-the-charts compete level, a high hockey IQ, excellent skates and far more pure skill than most draft pundits recognized. Thus far in his development, Greig has proved me right with 95 points in his final 60 WHL contests and, as of yet this season, a PPG clip in his first AHL campaign.

Ostapchuk was not a player I was nearly so high on when the Senators took him at #39 overall in 2021. However, Ostapchuk got some draft-day attention due to a very physical style and 6'3-205 frame. At the time he was drafted, I had questions about Ostapchuk's skating and offensive awareness, but he has answered both in spades with greatly improved burst in his skating stride and an almost 1.5 PPG clip in this, his final WHL season.

The Devils two greatest needs -- probably only needs -- in a stacked NJ prospect pool are centers and physical/interior forwards. Both Greig and Ostapchuk would check both these boxes, and either would immediately become the top center in the prospect pool. Both profile as excellent future 3C candidates, with Greig having clear 2C upside, though certainly not on a Devils franchise headlined by Hughes/Hischier for the coming decade.

If Fitz will trade Blackwood for Greig, it would be another glory day for him. But I don`t think they will do it.

 

[NJDevs26]

Jeremy

I meant which lockout lol…the NHL’s had a hat trick of them

 

[Guadana]

Well we can be very creative if we want. I think A LOT depends on the whole Bratt decision. If they are way off, you can make a Matty T type of trade. We all love having Bratt, but he is just another Hughes. Of course you want as many as you get get....But, there is potential to have a different type of player.

For example, you can trade Bratt to Arizona for Crouse and Chychrun. Crouse has term and has 10 goals on the season already.

Could even get Bo Horvat and Brock B . I am only going off those two because it sounds like these guys want out. You prob coould get Bo and Brock for a 1st, holtz, sevo, Bahl at the deadline. Seems like overpayment for a rental but lets be real. Holtz may or may not be sick, Sevo is a goner....and I love Bahl but someone with value needs to go the other way with Bratt. I just think we have such a log jam at D and its not right to the player too. I honestly think Luke Hughes will be on this team by the end of the year. So we need to make room for him.

Hischer and Horvat as a one two punch is unreal. Lets be real Hughes cannot win us a faceoff, and Haula should not be on his line. I love the way that he plays but Hughes needs a finisher...Bo.

We just cant trade Luke Hughes.......He is Jack just on the backend.

Lets see what we do....I also wouldnt mind if we do nothing and just keep winning. LOL I am legit just happy to be here.

Trading Bratt for freaking Boeser and rental Horvat is the most stupido but real thing Devils can make. Horvat is older and can ask even more money than Bratt. Boeser doesn`t fit Devils game at all. He isn`t sh1t, but... isn`t he?

And Vancouver will make everything to sign Horvat.

Everything Devils should do - is sign Bratt. Don`t overthinking it. This is the reason why Devils are so successful now - they have Nico, Jack and Bratt who control every play on the ice. And depth really help. Jack doesn`t need finisher, and he doesn`t need Boeser.
Oh my God, no where close. This is the worst take on the forum. I even can undestand @billingtons ghost with his Blackwood takes - guy was overused and hurted a lot, that impacted his game. Part of it is on the organisation shoulders. But Boeser? On the Hughes wing? Way to bad. It`s a "Worst take Trophy". Haula is good on Jack`s wing because he is good complimentary player, can retrieve the puck, he is FAST(let`s read it again. F-A-S-T) and play great positionally without the puck, can help to defend and play good in dirty areas. If Haula could score more or we will find similiar player with better scoring abuility - great. Boeser? In the trash.

If you talk about Horvat as partner for Hughes - great, but he is older, will ask tonns of money and doesn`t fit with our "next 8-12 years" window with his potential salary. Haula is good because we can sign on the "until he is not good" term. Or replace him with Mercer fully when he takes a new step forward. They actually playing together because they can supplement each other. And it doesn`t ruin our cap hit.

 

[MasterofGrond]

I meant which lockout lol…the NHL’s had a hat trick of them

All of them, to some degree, but he was the driving force for the 05 one.

 

[severian]

Will Jack score 66 points over the rest of the season?

 

[Better Call Sal]

Can we get one special night....
Doc and Chico calling the game.
Matt and the maven doing a couple segments
And what everyone has been waiting for...a Deb Kaufman and Erika collaboration.

To help tickle that nostalgia bone a little bit (phrasing!), Matt and the Maven have had a couple of reunion videos they've done so far this year. This is the most recent. Definitely enjoyed the banter these two had growing up and watching them. That broadcast with Doc, Chico, Matt and the Maven was seriously always top notch and I am glad I appreciated it while I had it even being younger.

 

[Triumph]

I have to think Ottawa would be extremely interested in Blackwood. They have not had a goaltender of Blackwood's ability for some time, and Blackwood hails from nearby Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Despite what I consider to be extremely underwhelming drafts in both 2021 and 2022, Ottawa has several prospects who could be of particular interest to the Devils. Foremost among them would be center prospects Ridley Greig and Zack Ostapchuk.

Greig was a #28 overall pick in 2020 who I was extremely high on, though he had some doubters due to his physical, in-your-face style combined with a lack of size usually associated with such a player-type at 5'10-170 or so. However, I saw a kid with off-the-charts compete level, a high hockey IQ, excellent skates and far more pure skill than most draft pundits recognized. Thus far in his development, Greig has proved me right with 95 points in his final 60 WHL contests and, as of yet this season, a PPG clip in his first AHL campaign.

Ostapchuk was not a player I was nearly so high on when the Senators took him at #39 overall in 2021. However, Ostapchuk got some draft-day attention due to a very physical style and 6'3-205 frame. At the time he was drafted, I had questions about Ostapchuk's skating and offensive awareness, but he has answered both in spades with greatly improved burst in his skating stride and an almost 1.5 PPG clip in this, his final WHL season.

The Devils two greatest needs -- probably only needs -- in a stacked NJ prospect pool are centers and physical/interior forwards. Both Greig and Ostapchuk would check both these boxes, and either would immediately become the top center in the prospect pool. Both profile as excellent future 3C candidates, with Greig having clear 2C upside, though certainly not on a Devils franchise headlined by Hughes/Hischier for the coming decade.

Thunder Bay is nowhere close to Ottawa, it's all the way on the other side of the Great Lakes. Likewise, if the Devils get anyone of Greig or Ostapchuk's caliber for Blackwood, I might be able to sell one or more of those lakes to Dorion.